Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events

Real Wedding: Markela & Chris

I loved working with Markela and Chris and their cobalt blue modern-simplistic wedding style! Enjoy these images by Joshua Gull Photography!

 Markela's number 1 request included a funky  bouquet made with pincushions. As a designer, it's imperative I connect with my brides. Every bride is different. No two are the same but they all share something in common....  VISION!

Every bride has a vision! Rather it be whimsical, eclectic or traditional. 

She gave me free reign on the design concept as long as it was unique, funky and  included pincushions. 

How about blue pincushions?

Blue pincushions and majestic blue floral wire transofrmed this bouquet to funky!

The guys rocked bow ties! My favorite trend - I adore the bow tie look...very sophisticated!

We decked the stem of the bouts with platinum floral wire and blue pins.

The ring bearer carried a custom glass box versus a traditional pillow - very unique!

 

Keeping the modern-simplistic concept in mind, for the table designs we created cylinders with submerged floral wire strung with roses and filled with bottom with blue acrylic crystals.

In order to offset the cylinder design, we created small hydrangea and rose centerpieces filled with blue acrylic crystals.

Sweet treats included a blue candy bar and wedding cake designed by Cakes By Rebecca!

Best of Luck to Chris & Markela!

Table Numbers: New Item in Our Inventory!

We have several new items we will be adding to our inventory thorughout the course of the year.

We recently added new mirrored lucite table numbers which are available to rent in any quantity.  They are very sleek and art-deco for the modern bride and can be used in multiple ways.

Used as a table number

Used to accentuate the cake table to express your wedding date

Style your Aisle!

My absolute favorite part of being an event designer is transformation! I love to transform wedding aisles. The aisle is your domain; it’s where you will make your grand entrance and many of your family, friends and even your groom will be seeing you for the first time. The aisle is captured in your pictures so make sure you deck it out.

Aisles designed by Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events:

 Sculpted rose petal aisle

Zebra print aisle bordered with red rose petals

Aisle bordered with white rose petals

Aisle bordered with red and orange rose petals

Aisle bordered with orange and pink rose petals

 

Contact Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events to Style Your Aisle!

Goodwill Wedding Gala!

 

Looking to save on your wedding dress or bridal party attire?  Please plan to attend the Goodwill Wedding Gala!  Yes, I said the Goodwill Wedding Gala!!!

What is the Goodwill Wedding Gala?  Area bridal stores donate wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and wedding accessories to be sold at the gala to benefit the Goodwill mission. This years’ gala will be:

Saturday, March 17th  from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Rivergate Goodwill store located at 2101 Gallatin Pike N. in Madison, Tennessee.

All gowns will be priced at $400 or less. Buy a dress or wedding attire and give to the goodwill!

Check out the Goodwill's Wedding Gala "Look Book". I look forward to seeing you there!

Ashley's Bride Guide Wedding Boot Camp

If your planning a wedding, attending Ashley's Bride Guide Boot Camp is a must!

I will be attending the first boot camp session as a panelist offering expert advice regarding your wedding vision!

Tues, March 13: Before You Hire ANYONE, Set Your Vision, Priority, Budget

Location - Noah Liff Opera Center

Also, come and see beautiful tablescapes designed by Rhonda Patton! 

 

AshleysBrideGuide.com is the ultimate online tool for Nashville wedding planning. We're hosting...

The Smart Bride, a Get-Smart Bootcamp for Nashville Brides + Grooms

 

Whether your budget is $5k or $100K, our wedding planning class will help you enjoy your engagement more!  Even if you already have a wedding planner, you should still come.  We will share EVERYTHING you need to know to maximize your budget and maintain your sanity!  We'll provide deals that will help you save thousands of dollars on everything you need.

 

Why: once a year event. save thousands of dollars + be a smarter bride.

Who: any engaged groom, bride, or parent

The Smart Bride is a must attend camp for engaged couples. It is the ONLY workshop of it's kind in Nashville that allows you to learn from the pros, meet other brides, get inspired and get exclusive wedding deals.

 

Tues, March 13: Before Your Hire ANYONE, Set Your Vision, Priority, Budget

Location - Noah Liff Opera Center

Tues, March 20: How to Hire Your Vendors, Part 1 - The Must-Haves for Your Day

Location - Nashville City Club

Tues, March 27: How to Hire Your Vendors, Part 2 - Who You Need, What to Ask, How to Decide

Location - Houston Station

(Attending all 3 weeks is highly recommended but not required.)

You're recently engaged and now it's time to tackle some real decisions.  Will you do-it-yourself or hire a planner?  Will you hire a photographer and a videographer or just a photographer?  What's a realistic budget for catering and is a cash bar tacky?  You've got real questions and we have an expert team to answer your questions.  

 

Before you hire another wedding vendor, you must attend our wedding planning bootcamp, where wedding experts and recent brides/camp graduates will cover weddings, from A-Z.  Our 3-week camp will save you money and stress.  Created and hosted by Ashley of AshleysBrideGuide.com, it's the only wedding planning workshop for Nashville brides.   You can't afford to miss it. 

 

Visit AshleysBrideGuide.com to find wedding vendors and inspiration for your Nashville wedding.

Special thanks to Sarah of Music City Events for coordinating the event!  (Images from 2011 Bootcamp, courtesy of JHenderson Studios.)

Please visit www.ashleysbrideguide.com for more information!

 

 Please register:  http://smartbridenashville.eventbrite.com/  or visit Ashley's Bride Guide for more information!

A Tablescape: GLAMORIZED!

 We participated in the Fall 2011 Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show and were thrilled to "glamorize" a tablescape for the modern bride!

 
During the brainstorming process, my team and I tossed ideas back and forth regarding color palette, elements, flowers of choice, etc.  Once we had the items finalized, I created a visual aid - a sketch of the concept.

 

Tablescape A - Design Details

Color Palette: Pewter, Taupe, Eggshell

Theme: GLAMORIZED

Flowers:  Lush flowers - orchids, roses, callas and hydrangeas

Elements/Details: Beaded plate chargers, Diamonds and Pearls, couture chair caps, custom menu cards, Phalenopsis orchid bloom on napkin, bling napkin ringlet and pewter crinkle linens.

Focal Point: A striking but lush focal point. 

Visual Aesthetic: The overall concept was visually aesthetic however the connecting calla lilies captured the most attention!

Vendors included Classic Party Rental, Atlanta-based Papered Wonders created the glam menu cards and Rhonda Patton completed the design and provided the flowers, glass and crystal items to complete the look!

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

I am excited to have an exclusive seamtress out of India who will work side-by-side with me to create couture pieces for my clients.  I had the vision for the chair caps, did a mini sketch, tossed around the dimensions and my seamstress executed - perfectly!

During the bridal show, my assistant jotted down a few comments as brides approcahed my booth:

Comments from Bride's:

• - "I imagine this is what Kim Kardashians table setting looks like today"! <The show took place on the same day of KK's wedding>
• -"The most unique table-setting I've seen thus far"!
• -"Absoluetly, the best table here"!
• -"OMG, I love those chair caps"!
• -"OMG, the chair caps are adorable"!
• -"BEAUTIFUL, you nailed it"!
• -"OMG, I'm seriously thinking about changing my color palette to this"!
• -"Were you invited in from Atlanta or somewhere, 'cause I've never seen any like this in Nashville"?
• -"I'm having a very difficult time finding a contemporary florist, I've find one now"!
• -"The added detail makes the difference, I love the pearls, crystals and the connecticing calla lilies"!
• -"Very beautifuly executed, by far the best I've seen yet"!
• -"OMG, I just love this - I'm pulling up your website now" (the bride proceeded to pull up my website from her ipad) "Your work is Aaaaamaaazing"
• -"Did you do this, it's sooo pretty"!
• -"Are you based out of Nashville"?
• -"Do you travel"?
• -"Your HIRED!"

Bridal Show Tip for Brides:  This savvy bride took a snap shot of my display with the business card to help associate my business contact info with the booth design.

In addition to the tablescape, we created Stylish Bouquets for the Models:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very special THANK YOU to Erin with The Collection Photography!!!

2012 & Beyond: Forecasting for the Modern Bride

I'm a Fashion-forward, FLORALnista' astute with premium fasion and modern floral intelligence.

I invest time studying trends for the sophisticated modern bride. Unfortunatley, Nashville runs about 1.5 years behind as it relates to wedding trends and designs. Modern trends typically begin on the East or West coast before slowly matriculating to the Music City.

My brides are very trendy and understand the need for every detail.  Check out my predictions for the 2012 {and beyond} Modern Bride:

Trending Now--->Modern Bride Color Inventions

Color plays a vital role in this invention - strong, rich saturated colors are essential.

My color Raves for 2012 and beyond....

• Purples make me Plum Crazy!
• Beautiful Blues: Indigo, Royal, Cobalt, Lapis and Teal...are all a thrill!
• Haute Pink is Poppin! (I heart haute pink and metallic gold color combos)
• Jewel Tones are Jammin'
• Red Reeks with Excellence!
• I'm Musing over Metallics!
• Neutral Palettes deserve a round of Applause! (I'm falling in love with the all white weddings too...)

The Fashion is a pre-requistie to the wedding industry and ironically my color raves are are the popular choice.

credit : Marieforum.com

Trending Now---->Modern Bride Element Inventions

Acrylic or Lucite (which are both major players in the event industry), Mirrored or Opague Elements, Upolestered Elements and Blinged (crystal) enchanced elements are all popular choices for the modern bride.

Trending Now---->Modern Bride Flower Inventions

Layering of textures, groupings (of one sort of flower), swaying flowers (flowers sway out of a vase to the left or right versus stems completely submerged into a vase) , flower sculptures and flower contouring are all popular choices for modern brides.

Trending Now---->Modern Bride Candy Station Inventions

Robust candy or dessert stations to include color coordinated sweet treats. Candy bars remain trendy and I predict this trend will be a popular choice for modern brides for 2012 and beyond.

credit : prestonbailey.com

 

The White vs. Ivory Debate: Does it Really Matter?

I tend to have the biggest debate with brides over the color WHITE versus IVORY. Does it really matter?

Yes, it does matter!

The differences between ivory, cream or white is highly significant when it comes to the subject of wedding gowns and flowers.  Ivory should not be viewed upon as another shade of white like eggshell, diamond white, off-white, cream or ecru - whatever that is! In terms of color, WHITE is stark white, pristine and mixes no shades of any other color - like pure white milk. 

Let's examine gowns from one of my favorite bridal gown designers, AMSALE

photo: amsale.com         White Gown

IVORY has a slight tint of yellow or cream. Cream tends toward the warm, off-white tends towards the cool.  Cream tends to be palely yellow with some sand tones.  Off-white tends to use grays and browns as tones. 

photo: amsale.com         Diamond White Gown

Most women love wearing the unsullied color called white for their wedding gown. However, a huge number of women are opting for ivory shades of wedding gowns.

photo: amsale.com         Ivory Gown

As per old wives tale, white is the color for virgin brides but it holds little relevance in today’s world. Whether you want white or ivory is totally a personal choice. The ultimate decision should rest on your skin tone (warm versus cool).  For example, white can show off the paleness of your skin.  However, some brides believe that white can be too austere. Ivory, having a touch of cream can actually be flattering to pale complexions.

                                        white                                              ivory                                                    cream

The better choice for lighter skin tones is an ivory or antique white. Women with medium to dark-toned skin can often pull off a diamond white beautifully.  Bright whites on darker skin tones are stunning!

Side Note:  I've opted to wear white on my wedding day!

In regards to flowers, they are available in white, cream or ivory.  Some flowers work well with all  3 colors, (ie., calla lilies and hydrangeas). Flowers that are available in stark white (roses, gladiolus, carnations, gardenias, paperwhites, stephanotis, stock). 

Your florist can help determine what type and which shade of flower works best. In conclusin, white/cream/ivory does matter and it's important you convey the color or provide a color swatch in advance to your wedding vendors.

 

Behind the Scenes: Our Inventory!

My name is Rhonda Patton and I'm addicted to glass and unique decorative elements! I will purchase a lot of vases before I purchase a new handbag for myself - seriously!

Our inventory is comprised of a plethora of items from lucite, glass, chrome, ceramic, wood and porcelain - in every shape, size and color. The warehouse is covered wall to wall.

I recently found these uniquely shaped sea blue glass vases in Texas for .50 each.....SOLD! 

 
I bought the entire lot! I like to have an array of unique pieces to offer my clients.  All glassware/decorative elements are included as rental items.

Here are a few other snap shots from my warehouse (on a good day).

 

Thankfully, I have an OCD group of team members who help me keep everything organized. We have an ample amount of apothecary jars for a candy/popcorn station to rent to our clients. We recently purchased 45" tall (adjustable) candle holders.  They make a great platform for a guest centerpieces. As a designer, I love transitional pieces! We are excited about our 2012 inventory which will include many more transitional pieces.  I've been told a visit to my warehouse it like a visit to a craft/hobby store and I concur.

Stay tune as we provide more updates regarding our 2012 inventory.

Look Good, Smell Good: Top 5 Fragrances for Brides

Like Kim Kardashian, I'm a perfumista! I'm also a floralista and love floral fragrances.  Not only should you look good on your wedding day, but you should also smell good!

My top 5 fragrances for Brides......

1. LoveStruck (by Vera Wang) 

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Lovestruck from Vera Wang.....a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, it's all about Vera's interpretation of being madly in love. The fragrance is a sparkling floral. Like an addictive crush, there's an instant attraction to its mouthwatering notes of pink guava and mandarin. With a sweet caress, a delicate bouquet of tuberose and lotus blossom follows. Behind it all are precious woods and a sheer musk, a lasting trail that brings warmth and comfort to this irresistible fragrance.

The bottle design is beautiful!

2. Rose The One (by Dolce & Gabbana)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Rose the One.....this tribute to female beauty signals contemporary elegance embodied by a woman with an instinctively classic sense of style. Her essence is a soft, rosy floral designed around a bouquet that evokes precious, delicate sensuality. Petal by petal, the scent reveals a timeless rose blend that channels the heritage of the consummate Italian fashion brand.

3.  CoCo Mademoiselle (by Chanel)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Mademoiselle.....sexy, fresh Oriental fragrance recalls the irrepressible spirit of the young Coco Chanel. An elegant, luxurious spray closest in strength and character to the parfum form.

4.  Flowerbomb (by Viktor & Rolf)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com 

This floral explosion releases a profusion of flowers that has the poer to make everything seem more positive. Magically evocative notes immediately awaken your deepest senses, giving you the impression of living life in your own secret garden, away from reality. Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, and Ballerina Freesia bloom on a base of Patchouli.

5. Wonderstruck (by Taylor Swift)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Taylor's personal life experiences inspired this fragrance. Just like her creative approach to songwriting, every element is authentic, embracing all that is special about Taylor. Wonderstruck is an awe-inspiring feeling. It could be a connection with someone or a rush you get when you experience something magical. Wonderstruck is also a lyric in the song "Enchanted" on Taylor's album, Speak Now. In this fragrance, a charming and sparkling surprise of vibrant fruits kisses a bouquet of soft petals and a touch of sweet indulgence.  A perfectly charmed deep purple bottle holds this enchanting fragrance. The iridescent rainbow finish, never before used in the fragrance industry, gives the bottle a magical glow. The Moravian star, dove, and birdcage charms that adorn the bottle were hand-picked by Taylor to evoke her unique style and whimsical flair.

All 5 fragrances grace my vanity. As a bride, you can't go wrong with any of these top 5 fragrances for your special day.

Look Good....Smell Good